The Cricket Thread 2014

[Villan For Life]

Great stuff, see I've always rated Jordan and now he's got some confidence and rhythm he can do real damage. I was just about to say in spite of his low scores I still fear Kohli!

We need Woakes to step up now.

[Villan For Life]

Another one for Jordan - took a good caught and bowled to get rid of Rahane without troubling the scorers.

28-4

[PaulWinch again]

Jordan stikes again! I do really rate him as a cricketer, we've just got to make sure he gets a lot of bowling under his belt. He's so much a rhythm bowler.

[tomd2103]

Jordan stikes again! I do really rate him as a cricketer, we've just got to make sure he gets a lot of bowling under his belt. He's so much a rhythm bowler.

Agree and I hope the coaching staff don't try and alter his bowling (his action etc.) too much and focus on what he actually does well. 

[ACVilla]

What an awesome over by Woakes.

[Villan For Life]

What an awesome over by Woakes.

He just needs a little bit of luck now. That wicket will spur him on.

We'll be batting by tea.

[PaulWinch again]

Great stuff from Woakes, but this is pathetic from India again.

[paul_e]

What an awesome over by Woakes.

That's why I want them to stick with him, he's bowled a lot of truly excellent stuff in this series and hasn't really had the rewards it deserves. The wicket just was a belter.

[Villan For Life]

Great stuff from Woakes, but this is pathetic from India again.

Their complaint about Jimmy has really backfired on them. I always felt that it was just a way of taking him out of the attack. The whole episode has galvanised our attack.

[PaulWinch again]

What's good in this innings is that the back up bowlers have followed up what the openers did.

[PaulWinch again]

I still think Stokes has more about him than Woakes and long term will be a better Test cricketer, but Woakes is a good player.

[PGW]

I still think Stokes has more about him than Woakes and long term will be a better Test cricketer, but Woakes is a good player.
[/quote
I am completely the opposite, as i have stated before Jordan will incur injuries due to that nightmare that is a run up of his. I really want him to do well
as i do Woakes.

[PGW]

I still think Stokes has more about him than Woakes and long term will be a better Test cricketer, but Woakes is a good player.
[/quote
I am completely the opposite, as i have stated before Jordan will incur injuries due to that nightmare that is a run up of his. I really want him to do well
as i do Woakes.

Forget the comment above, mis read it i thought you were referring to Jordan.
Once again though with regard to Stokes i firmly believe that Woakes will come out on top in that battle also. Stokes' temperament is not that great whereas
Woakes is so level-headed it's untrue, but what is in his favour, in my opinion, he listens and more importantly he learns. He may well progress a little slower than Stokes & Jordan but he will come out on top.

[PaulWinch again]

I think Stokes has already shown with bat and ball he can be a top player and he has that x factor about him. I think Woakes will always be a good player, but I can't see him being a match winner/saver on his own.

[paul_e]

I think Stokes has already shown with bat and ball he can be a top player and he has that x factor about him. I think Woakes will always be a good player, but I can't see him being a match winner/saver on his own.

For me whilst we have Broad and Jimmy (and Jordan) the 4th seamer isn't there to be a regular wicket taker, he's there to bowl pressure spells and keep one end tight.  Stokes can do that but he's a bit rash and can get drawn in to bowling where the batsman wants, that comes from being, in cricket terms, still a kid. Woakes seems a bit more concentrated in that regard. Add on that whilst Stokes has done it with the bat once Woakes has shown in both domestic and so far in tests that he'll stick around and get important runs regularly.

Give it a few years and all 3 will be playing regularly alongside Finn, which has the potential to be a good attack.